Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with movies and sound

The most watched digital content is... what?

Wordshore — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:09:57 -0800

Is Gangnam Style the most watched "piece of digital content" in human history? This article or post states that it is, and the wording is bothersome. Other places such as The Guardian are stating that it's the most popular YouTube video.

It could be argued that, though viewed 800+ million times, most of these are probably multiple views by the same people, so the number of distinct viewers is only a small fraction. Other "digital content" e.g. the first moon landing, the Olympics opening ceremony, the Beatles final performance, might have been viewed by more individuals. Complicating this is that "digital content" can reside in multiple places, even multiple instances on YouTube alone. And "digital content" extends to much more than just videos.

Google searches cloud the issue further. Basically, what is the most watched, viewed, examined or listened to (in terms of numbers of unique people) piece of "digital content" in history?

"Frankly, my dear..."

overeducated_alligator — Tue, 17 May 2011 12:30:15 -0800

What are some examples of classic movie dialogue which are instantly recognizable from sound alone? I am working on some animated segments where the audio will consist of sound clips from classic movies.

I want to use clips which are instantly recognizable, even without seeing who the actors are or what the movie is. Some famous scenes just don't work if you can't see the visual component.

(For instance, I think the filibuster scene in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" is pretty unmistakable from audio alone. Jimmy Stewart has a distinctive voice and the dialogue is specific to that film.)

Can you help me find more?

Adding ADDITIONAL audio to an avi file

Charlie Lesoine — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:23:01 -0800

How do I add an additional audio track to a .avi movie file in OSX? I downloaded a full length movie, it had stereo channel audio, but one of the audio tracks was still missing, possibly the center channel that was lost from a surround sound mix when it was bounced to standard 2 channel audio. I now have the missing audio file and need to add it to the other two. I could just remove one of the existing tracks, or turn the existing two tracks into a mono track and then add the 3rd missing track. It doesn't need to sound amazing...but I don't know what software to use to do this. Any ideas?

Where else have I heard that?

FatherDagon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:33:51 -0800

Is there a site that keeps track of foley sound clichés in movies, hopefully sorted by the sound as well as by movie? Everyone can call out a Whilheim Scream when it crops up, but my obsession has always been a specific door-opening sound which I can't find a sample of, but was used several times in 'Brain Candy' (off the top of my head) as the sound of the conference room doors opening/closing, as well as hilariously inappropriately as the opening of a small metal safe in 'Brother'. Also, there is a pottery breaking sound that is used over and over in 'Wet Hot American Summer', as well as other movies (I can't find a link to this exact sound either). Unlike Filmsound.org/cliche, I'm looking for something with the sound samples also attached.

I would like to follow in the loud footsteps of Jack Foley.

Tufa — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:07:22 -0800

What are some films with great work by a Foley artist? I am looking for films with sensitive sound design, especially with regard to small environmental sounds--the clink of a glass set on a table.

I'll be making a small film in the future, and I would like to absorb some examples of great work.

Audio Technician Gear?

AltReality — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:32:25 -0800

What is included in a typical sound technician's kit when recording scenes for TV or Movies? I am looking into all the potential uses of a degree in sound engineering, and was looking at the idea of TV and Movies...I notice the sound guys who hold the boom mic's have the lines run into a belt-pack kind of thing..I'm guessing a mixer and power supply, and then I guess they lead out to the camera?

So my question:
What is included in a typical sound technician's kit when recording scenes for TV or Movies?

Thanks,
AltReality

What movie's characteristic sound effect was caused by using a tube to blow bubbles in a toilet?

Addlepated — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:52:15 -0800

What movie's characteristic sound effect was caused by using a tube to blow bubbles in a toilet? I remember watching a "Making of" type short piece about a popular movie, probably back in the 80s or early 90s (before DVDs) where they created the big important characteristic sound effect by blowing bubbles in a toilet with a tube. Anyone know what it was?

Any good, detailed articles on sound design in movies?

caek — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:47:41 -0800

I really enjoyed this NYT article on sound design in No Country For Old Men. Does anyone have any links/references to any similar articles about sound design in other films, past or present? Ideally they'd be a little longer and more detailed than the NYT piece, but I'd rather not read a book on this (unless it's brilliant!)

Audio help...

Aanidaani — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:12:57 -0800

So I procured an HD copy of "300" in 720p matroska (.mkv) format, but the 5.1 audio track won't play on my 2.1 speakers. Is there any way I can configure VLC or another media player to convert the audio to 2.1 format? Any help would be much appreciated. Just FYI I'm using an integrated 2.1 soundcard, which is what is causing the trouble. Thanks!

Concert films help please!

djstig — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 08:31:11 -0800

Movies wanted to show before gigs. I help run a club night, which puts on bands and DJ's, mainly noisy and odd stuff. What we have decided to do is to show movies before the night gets started, and I was opening up the offer to Metafilter to help choose the films.

What we are looking for are films with a vague musical theme, or other weird and wonderful oddities that would go down well with our crowd.

Here are my few but the more the merrier:
The Filth And The Fury
Scratch(Hip Hop Documentary)
Help!
Wattstax
Dig
Harder They Come
Dance Craze
Lenigrad Cowboys Go America
Wave Twisters

Thanks